Sunderland Echo

Major chance of success at Ripon

-

Citron Major can prove too sharp for his rivals in the David Chapman Memorial Handicap at Ripon tomorrow.

Trained by Nigel Tinkler, Citron Major ended a near 12-month losing streak when triumphing over the same six furlongs he faces here two weeks ago.

A couple of tardy starts had compromise­d his chances on his first two runs and he actually got a bit of a bump in the opening stride on his most recent outing, which saw him have to take up a position in midfield.

Luckily the gaps came for him that day, with Rowan Scott producing Citron Major with a telling final flourish to win by a length.

The handicappe­r has since put him up 5lb, which seems harsh on the face of it, but it could be he was fair value for the margin of victory and the applicatio­n of a visor certainly seemed to have the desired effect.

Citron Major has previously won off a mark of 89, so this task is certainly not be- yond him.

Clearance looks a horse on the upgrade and he can make it back-to-back wins in the Sky Bet Most Extra Places Handicap.

Previously trained by Gary Moore, Clearance switched to the care of Iain Jardine last year and has provided a decent return so far, winning three of his six starts.

The six-year-old secured his latest verdict last time out over two miles at Musselburg­h despite not enjoying the best of luck in running.

Clearance was clearly travelling best of all approachin­g the business end of the race, but he was struggling to find a gap in the final furlong before eventually getting a bit of space and picking up in style to triumph by half a length.

He obviously could have won by further granted an ideal run and an 8lb hike might not be enough to put the brakes on.

Striding Edge makes a swift return to action in the Sky Bet Thank You Key Workers Handicap after an absolute demolition job last time.

He was a 10-length winner at Pontefract last week, taking his rivals apart in what had appeared to be a competitiv­e mile event.

A hefty rise looked certain and so it proved with the handicappe­r hiking him by 15lb, so it makes sense for Mark Johnston’s charge to turn out again quickly to take advantage of the fact he is 9lb well in.

Clem A can make a winning start for Milton Harris in Bath’s Kelston Handicap.

He triumphed for Joseph Parr at Wolverhamp­ton in

March before subsequent­ly changing hands and a 3lb rise for what was a cosy enough neck win does not look beyond him.

Owners Bill and Tim Gredley can be on the mark with Accrington Stanley.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom